Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Shalom,
The poster above is an opportunity to stand with the Jewish community locally in support of the Hostage Release. Hope to see you at Market Square.
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Today’s Rant: In the world today there are about 10,000 Muslims for every Jewish person on earth. The United Nations decided 75 years ago that there should be one country in the world (what we call today, Israel) where Jewish people govern themselves. Today, in a complete mischaracterization of the word, that is called apartheid. Is it apartheid that there are no Jews allowed in dozens of Muslim dominated countries?
“From the river to the sea” is a slogan used by the anti-Israel crowd whose message is that all the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea should be free of Jewish presence. That’s all of Israel! Calling for genocide of any people group should be offensive to every human being.
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Life In The Body part 36 – Romans, part 211
Romans 14:6 The one who observes that day does so to the Lord. The one who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one who abstains, abstains to the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for himself, and none dies for himself. 8 For if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this reason Messiah died and lived again, so that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
This passage is a little long. I just couldn’t decide where to stop it. The point being made is that both in life and in death, we do everything for the glory of God. How many times does the Scripture tell us not to fear? I quickly counted to 25 and then lost count. Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation! I will trust and will not be afraid. For the Lord Adonai is my strength and my song. He also has become my salvation.”
The only rational reason for fear is fear of loss. Paul explained it this way… Philippians 1:20 My eager expectation and hope is that in no way will I be put to shame, but that with complete boldness Messiah will even now, as always, be exalted in my body—whether through life or through death. 21 For to me, to live is Messiah and to die is gain.
As followers of Yeshua, we can’t lose. Salvation is not fire insurance, it is blessed assurance that we will be forever with the Lord…. 1Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air—and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Go ahead, eat or don’t eat… live or die… our faith is that, whatever we do, we do it all for the glory of God. Romans 10:9 For if you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. The grave could not contain Yeshua, and neither will the grave contain you.
Psalm 16:8 I have set Adonai always before me. Since He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 So my heart is glad and my soul rejoices. My body also rests secure. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol nor let Your faithful one see the Pit. 11 You make known to me the path of life. Abundance of joys are in Your presence, eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 15-Nov-2023 2nd of Kislev, 5784
Ge 26:23-29 Jdg 12-13 Ps 35 Mt 26:31-56 (Ro 11:17-36)